Alameda measure would limit sales, swaps of park land

Alameda voters are being asked to decide whether to take away the City Council’s ability to sell or trade the city’s park land, which the city’s charter now allows the council to do if a suitable replacement is found. Measure D would eliminate the council’s ability to make those calls and put them into the hands of voters.

Golfers and Bay Farm Island residents put together the measure after the council decided to consider a proposal to allow developer Ron Cowan to build homes on the Mif Albright golf course in exchange for cash and land he owns on North Loop Road, which would have been used to construct new ball fields. The council unanimously opted not to pursue the plan.